Hi Everyone. Shawna has made some notes with her Mom with news she wants to share. I will write as she has dictated so you can hear it directly from her...
- sleeping going better with Mom staying in the room with me.
- Dad left for home Saturday. He had certainly got to know his way around calgary; thank goodness for the GPS!
- helped Alexis with math homework the other night - felt good to tax my brain. Math was one of my favorite subjects in school.
- Alexis seems to be settling back into the school routine.
- soccer tryouts are over - she is waiting for her game and practice schedule.
- guitar lessons will be happening again this year.
- Will is busy working out the house routine.
- my room in the hospice is quite large and nice and bright. Sharon re-arranged my room. I have family pictures, beautiful flowers from friends and a Build A Bear from Alexis to keep me company.
- my friend Emily (Queen's roommate) was visiting until Saturday and Nat (other roommate) was here earlier last week. On Wednesday, Emily and I enjoyed a tea (weekly event at the hospice) and of course dessert.
- some days I am more alert than others, but all-in-all I have settled into my new home.
Shawna's symptoms are being well controlled. The staff at the hospice is fabulous. Sharon and I spent the evening Friday (Sharon overnight). The palliative care physician was in and was amazing. He answered all of our questions, and was fantastic with Shawna. He even drew a graph at her request to better explain the information he was giving. Her Mom will be sleeping at the hospice with her to provide support throughout the night. Will and Alexis will visit after school, maybe for some more help with homework!
She has asked that people not visit unless someone contacts you. She is only able to visit for a few minutes a day and she would like to spread it out. So as she requests to see people, we are phoning and scheduling visits. Thank you!!
Shawna is up to date with the blog posts - she enjoys them all. Thank you for the words of love and prayer, scripture verses, and the funny stories. She loves hearing them all, and I think all of us who love her love reading them too!
Terri
Thanks for updating us Terri. Shawna, really happy you have settled in. I think of you all the time and the kids are asking how you are doing and all praying for you. Keep smiling. We love you! Kerry and family
ReplyDeleteHI Shawna, Thank so much for the update. It means so much to hear how you, Will and Alexis are doing and what everyday life is like for you. LOVE that you helped with math homework! You make me smile. Hugs, Leslie
ReplyDeleteHi Shawna, You and your family are in our thoughts daily. Glad you are settled in at hospice and that your mom is able to stay with you. We all send big bear hugs! Love you, James & Allison
ReplyDeleteHi Shawna,Thanks for the updates,you are a inspiration to all,love to Will @ Alexis,keep smiling,thoughts @ prayers to everyone,love!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear an update from you Shawna! I've been thinking of you often through each day and you are always in our prayers every day.
ReplyDeleteMath is a good exercise! but the faith you have shown the world is the best that is why you keep on keeping on till now. God bless you greatly Shawna and all the people that surround you!
ReplyDeleteThankyou for this update! We are journeying with you in thought and prayer each day!
ReplyDeleteLinda - it's so good that you can be there..nothin' like a Mother's love! You are in our prayers too!
Shawna, I wish Clint or I had your Math skills - it's better for our girls if we don't help them with Math!:)
sending our love across the miles,
Helen and Clint
Thanks for the update Shawna! I am dropping a card in the mail today with some copies of a few pictures I found that may make you laugh as they did me :)
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Shawna
I will ramble, as I have always been prone to do. This may be good if you are bored, or excruciating if you are already overwhelmed with correspondence. Stop reading or skim at your will ;) That goes for everyone!!!
ReplyDeleteShawna, you have always been the task master. Never an idle moment with you. I confess I'm a bit the same way. I recently got a fancier cell phone and love that I can read books on it while waiting. What a fantastic opportunity to read during every spare minute or make lists. Love it.
I keep quotes I like on it too. My current fav is: Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Ha! Good advice I'm sure.
Jade loves grade 3 so far and her teacher is lovely. My grade 5 class is quite nice too. Jade was toiling between rock star costume for Halloween or 1950's girl with horn rimmed glasses. Glad the glasses were the clincher. Costume was way cheaper and slightly more unique.
On another note, I went on a date on Saturday. 20 years ago I was great at it. Now - not so much. Comical. Laughable really. He is a high school math teacher and I coached math for 4 years so at least we have something to talk about. We'll see....
Anyhow, we think of you and your family often, pray often too. Jade wanted to help so she fundraised for Run for the Cure. She has raised $130 so far. We will run it this Sunday as we always do. Hello shin splints Monday!
Love and warm hugs the week of our 38th year together on earth. It has been an honour and a pleasure. Just keep swimming....
xoxo
Krista and Jade
Hi Shawna,thanks for the update,did you have anyone else check Alexis's math homework, I mean you are on some pretty good medication at the moment!!!!! Your mom probably told you Terianne is now working at good impressions 3 hours twice a week, she was excited to get paid but is already saying do I have to go work again! Jodi and Roger this week adopted another pet this week, a love bird supposively part of the parrot family, they also have a dog named DOG and another one that is a puppy that looks like Scobie Doo! I think she should just open a kennel, I'm sure that would be her altimate job!Dan and Tasha are doing well, Jacy officially is in Day care, which will be good for her to get used to people her own age, she is very sociable must take after us! Uncle allen is still working in Thompsom MB will be done in November. I am just finishing the last two courses for my Emergency certificate. Longer note than anticipated are you sleeping yet! Thinking of you everyday. Love and hugs to you all....Auntie Ellie
ReplyDeleteHi Shawna. We have been quietly following your journey. The strength and resolve you have shown everyone is astounding. You are a true inspiration; a true hero both in word and in deed. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are a rock! Love to you, Will, Alexis and your family. Love The Clark's - Ron, Sam, Cameron and Aaron
ReplyDeleteHi Shawna. Every morning the first thing I do is read your blog. Warmed my heart to read notes from you. From that beautiful little girl with the high pitched squeal to the strong graceful woman you became you have been a inspiration to us all. Your support network of family and friends is a testament to what a truly good person you are. uncle Robert and I are sending warm thoughts, our prayers and love. Aunt Jan
ReplyDeleteAMAZING!!! You, your family, your friends! Stay strong, enjoy time with you daughter and rest peacefully.
ReplyDeleteHi Shawna, Thank you for the update. I am so happy to hear that you have settled in to the hospice and i am happy to hear that you like your room. That is great!!!! We pray for you daily. Sounds like Alexis really has her plate full of activities that she enjoys thumbs up there.just know that we all are thinking about you and if i can offer any help i would be glad to be there for you as you have been there for me. I don't have to remind you how amazing that you are as i am sure you already know that you rock! i hope you have a good day...
ReplyDeleteLove Tanya, Matt and jacob. jacob sends a big boy hug to you too...
love you
Shawna, we are thinking of you daily. You sure are an inspiration to all of us. May you be surrounded by love, peace and blessings and know you are thought of often. I have a favourite A.A. Milne quote for you..."If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.” Jeff and I are getting married Oct 19th, I know took us long enough right!! Love to you all.
ReplyDeleteCary & Jeff Harris (Thunder Bay)
Dear Shawna,
ReplyDeleteAs well as our prayers for you, Will, and Alexis, we want to send some thoughts:
1) This blog is a beautiful thing - a window on your bravery, tangible evidence of the extent of your spirit. It's poignant for us because we moved to Dubai last month: half a world away, but close in cosmic terms. And thank you Terri for being with Shawna and helping so much with this.
2) From the story of your battle, there is *so* much to be learned about life. The lessons are profound, and part of your eternal legacy.
3) Please live each day like it's your birthday - the cake & balloons are optional, but at a minimum these days are special milestones to be celebrated. And, darn it, you're wonderful so you deserve it!
Love from Arabia,
Ian, Tokiko, Rachel, Eric, & Claudia
Dear Shawna,
ReplyDeleteYou really have inspired so many people around you. When I think of you the words, hope, faith and love come to mind. We have been thinking of you and praying for you and your family.
Love,
Janet & family
Hi Shawna,
ReplyDeleteTwo of my girls (Sarah & Elizabeth)plus their friend Tianna are in the Terry Fox Run tomorrow. They want you to know they are running for you!
Love, Jana
Hi Shawna,
ReplyDeleteLove and good thoughts from the McKinnon's here in Fort. I find myself thinking about you a lot and remembering all of the good times our families had together. School at Alberton Central was some of the best years too. Just wanted to say hi and let you know how much I admire you.
Tanya
Shawna , Wil and Alexis
ReplyDeleteI thought you would like to know Ben our grandson is running for you this Sunday. He was so sweet when he told me your name was going to be on his shirt and could I give him some money.
Sending my love and prayers
Anne
Dear Shawna,
ReplyDeleteWe are sending "Happy Birthday" wishes to you. We hope you have a chance to spend time with family and friends. Sending our love and prayers to you and your family on this special day and always.
Love Aunt Marianne and Uncle Russ
Shawna,
ReplyDeleteThinking about you on this special day - Happy Birthday! Hope you are able to enjoy the day with those close to you.
Love Mel, Stu, & Marcus
Hey Cous,
ReplyDeleteJade and I did the 5km Run for the Cure today. She raised $240 for the cause. Rainy but warm. Bittersweet event. Thinking of you as always September 30, my slightly younger cous. Celebrating in quiet solitude the 38 years we have shared.
xoxo
Kris
Thinking of you today! I pray you have the energy to spend time with your family and enjoy today!
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Shawna
Sending love your way today
ReplyDeleteAnne
Happy Birthday Shawna. Today is your special day and we pray that you have a good day with your family. I just came from home from Church and Diane and the rest of the choir want you to know that you are in their thoughts and prayers. We love you.
ReplyDeleteUncle Don and Auntie Sylvia
Happy Birthday Shawna! Thinking of you today like everyday and praying you have a nice day with your family.
ReplyDeleteLove Stacey
Hi Shawna,
ReplyDeleteI hope you have had a good day. We haven't talked for awhile but I am thinking of you. Wishing you some happy birthday memories to share with your family today. I also hope that you are finding some comfort at the hospice.
Kendall
Hi Shawna,
ReplyDeleteWell Movin 4 Melons raised over $8000.00 in the run in winnipeg this year. We had a lot of fun in spite of the fact it is for a very serious and important cause. We were pink cows this year. Mooooovin 4 Melons. Pretty crazy that the run is on your birthday this year. I hope you had a lovely day with your beautiful family. Happy 38th Shawna,
Love Jaime
Happy Birthday Shawna. I thought of you all day today but especially while walking the 5 km this morning in the glorious sunshine. I kept thinking back to the last time I walked with "Shawna's team", another beautiful day. Hope you were able to enjoy some of the sunshine too. Love and hugs Kerry.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Shawna! I hope your day was very pleasant. It's been a long time since I've needed to remember when your birthday was, but I still do! I don't really have specific memories of all those childhood parties, but I definitely remember the FEEL of them. Don't you? Well, I hope that today, you had that special FEELING. May the Lord Jesus infuse you with faith tonight.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs, Jana
Birthday wishes Shawna from Turks and Caicos. Brad and I are on vacation with 2other couples. It is screaming hot here but the ocean water is so very lovely and soothing. There were 3 young girlfs from Montreal who live here with there families (grade 12) making a beautiful sculptured sand heart with sa great big square around it. They put little seashells all on the top of the heart and it looked like a birthday cake. Just guess who I thought of when I saw it?! We went to a beach BBQ and bonfire tonight and we were entertained with music and I was having so much singing along. So, although happy birthday wasn't sung at the bonfire, I was singing "down the way where the nights are gay....Today is Shawna's Birthd-a-y! Well something like that ...you get the idea I'm sure. Hope you had a good day with your family and you were able to have chocolate or some other kind of sweet...I know how much you love the sweets. You were in my thoughts on your special day Shawna, all the way from Turks and Caicos. Lots of love.
ReplyDeleteSHER xo :)
Happy Birthday Shawna!
ReplyDeleteIf you were still living in Thunder Bay, I would take you out for something deliciously chocolatey! Or maybe we would go for a walk to Celebrations for an ice-cream (double scoop - definitely!) We hope you had a special day with family and friends, and we send you a big birthday hug! Love Maureen, Andrew, Michael and Amy. (and Buddy!)
Hello Shawna, I've been following your blog for a while now and I'm amazed at your courage, it is so evident that Christ shines in you, Wishing you peace and strength as a special birthday blessing. Love Michele Riegle (Thunder Bay)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Shawna,
ReplyDeleteI hope your day was nice and you were able to enjoy some of life's small pleasures with Will and Alexis.
As always, wishing you peace.
Love from Deb & Olivia in Thunder Bay
happy birthday shawna wishing you had a special one with mom, alexis and will by your side.sending all our love and prayers your way. Linda hang in there and keep being strong for shawna as she has been through this all.Love from sandy and herman
ReplyDeleteA belated Happy Birthday Shawna
ReplyDeleteUncle Robert and I were away this weekend with friends on a fishing trip on Lac Seul Lake. The weather was great and the fall colors were glorious. We even caught fish!! The fishing is slow there now but we had enough for a good fish fry and a few to bring home. We were thinking of you on your birthday it seems like yesterday your Mom and I were expecting you and Robin. Hope you had a good day with Will, Alexis and your parents.
All our Love Aunt Jan and Uncle Robert
Best birthday wishes Shawna,thoughts @ prayers are with you,love you!!!Linda @Butch
ReplyDeleteDear Shawna;
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday !! On your special day we wish you comfort, a peaceful day with friends,family and loved ones that are able to be with you. Sending many hugs and prayers to you. Love always.......
Donna & Earl
p.s. tried sending yesterday, just couldn't get the encryption right..lol, so much for being a computer geek....
Hi Shawna and Will: Amy and I were reminiscing yesterday about Alexis, and Amy wanted me to pass this story along to her...
ReplyDeleteRemember when Alexis was "little" - about 5 years old - and she was "quite picky" about what she ate, and what she didn't eat. We remember Will saying "it's a good day if Alexis eats bread and ketchup for dinner!" Well, one night when you two were on a "date", Alexis came over for dinner. We weren't sure what to serve, so Andrew made his famous home-made french fries. Alexis couldn't stop eating them!! We truly didn't know where she put them all! We kept asking "would you like more Alexis?" and she would say through a ketchup stained grin "yes please". Then there was the time at Christmas when Alexis came with us in the van to look at the Christmas lights around town. We had hot-chocolate and fancy cookies for the kids. Everytime I looked in the rear-view mirror, Alexis had a cookie in her mouth! I truly believe she ate over a dozen cookies that night! That's why I called later that evening to ask "So....how's Alexis???"
She was just fine. Thanks for the fun memories Alexis! Amy hopes you are doing OK, and asks "What is the dream topic for tonight? Love Maureen and Amy x0x0
Hello Shawna, Happy Birthday! I am reminiscing of the times that you, Jeanette, and I would celebrate our birthdays with a night out for cake. I wish I could be there now with you, and that we could share some birthday cake together! I was also remembering how beautifully you sang for my wedding, and how you look and sound like an angel whenever you sing. I apologize for not posting more on your blog lately; you have been in my thoughts and prayers. We moved to Comox, BC, in the spring, and we are still of no fixed address - now my Calgary friends can truthfully call me a Hippie. Wishing you peace and comfort, joyful moments with your closest friends and family, and rest in God; sending you a big heartfelt hug, Odette
ReplyDeleteDear Shawna: Happy birthday to you i hope you had a great day! miss you and sending all my love and best wishes, now and always. take care sweetie your friend
ReplyDeleteTanya
Hi Shawna, Dave and Jaycee here. We've been out of touch quite a bit since leaving Calgary 6-weeks ago and it's been good to get caught up on the blog. Geneva is a really interesting place, very international community working here. I go to work with David at the WHO every morning and do some research in the library while he works in the public health, immunization group. It's very bureaucratic and stuffy so David doesn't like that very much but he enjoys finding out what's going on in all the different countries. Each weekend we've been travelling to nearby places to experience some of Europe since this is my first time here. We went to Belgium where my family is from and met some people who helped me track my family tree. Of course, we went to Paris :) We never did get to Cinque Terres. David still talks about how beautiful you say it is, so we'll have to check it out. Our last trip will be to Vienna which we've been waiting for I think our whole lives; I know you and your family enjoyed it too.
ReplyDeleteThat's all our news. Our only way to communicate from here is Skype which we use daily (my username is jsabapat and David's is sabapath) but I know you've got a lot of communications going on already. Please don't feel pressed to contact us. We're just here supporting you, Will and Alexis in the background.
Loave Jaycee & David
Hi shawna: Just stopping by to say hello to you and you're family at thanksgiving. I hope whatever you are doing that you are enjoying yourself. Thinking and praying of you
ReplyDeleteBig hugs from our family to yours
Tanya, Matt, and jacob
Shawna Wil and Alexis
ReplyDeletethankyou for being a blessing and God bless you all today
Anne
Hi Shawna,
ReplyDeleteJust thinking of you as Olivia and I are making the recipe you gave us for your caramel pumpkin pie.
Hoping you, Will and Alexis are able to enjoy Thanksgiving Day together.
Hugs from Deb in TBay
Now
ReplyDeleteJourney safe
Mind how you tread and go;
Be it quick
or be it slow;
In that bustling city
that tests your nerve,
You may alight,
called to serve.
It's from a poem read in church today called Fabric of Creation
Thinking of you often, but today especially, Shawna. I am reminded of how much I have to be thankful for. I am grateful for you, Alexis and Will, Uncle Willie and Aunt Linda. Love to you all.
Krista and Jade